Film hanger device for processing photographic sheet film



May 2, 1967 w. G. HILL 3,316,827

FILM HANGER DEVICE FOR PROCESSING PHOTOGRAPHIC SHEET FILM Filed Dec. 3, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEYS.

W. G. HILL May 2, 1967 FILM HANGER DEVICE FOR PROCESSING PHOTOGRAPHIC SHEET FILM 3 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Dec.

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W. G. HILL May 2, 1967 FILM HANGER DEVICE FOR PROCESSING PHOTOGRAPHIC SHEET FILM Filed Dec. 5, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Zfi/M a. z z'zz ATTORNEYS,

United States Patent 3,316,827 FILM HANGER DEVICE FOR PROCESSING PHQTOGRAPHIC SHEET FILM William G. Hill, 1163 Walnut St., Des Plaines, 1]]. 60016 Filed Dec. 3, 1964, Ser. No. 415,762 7 (Ilaims. (Cl. 95-100) This invention relates generally to photographic processing equipment, and more particularly to novel film holder means for use in processing photographic negatives.

Film hangers or holders of the so-called channel type are commonly used to hold the film in proper position during the processing sequence. Channel type hangers are formed of a light, metallic framework with four legs of U-shaped, channel-like, cross-section joined together to form a rectangular support for the four sides of the film sheet. The rectangular frame-like support is joined to a horizontal crossbar which enables the operator to hold the hanger without touching the negative.

The channel legs at the bottom and two sides of the hanger are rigid members, while the upper, horizontally extending channel leg is hinged along one edge to permit this leg to be pivoted out of the way when the film sheet is inserted into the hanger. After insertion of the film into the other three legs, the hinged top leg is pivoted back to grasp the film sheet at its upper edge. In the closed position, the film is held captive by the surrounding framework.

The channel legs at the bottom and sides of the hanger are perforated to allow freer access of developer solutions to the captive negative. The perforations a-lso facilitate drainage when the hanger is lifted from the solution.

While the channel type hanger has been acceptable for many purposes, the quality of the negatives developed while being held captive therein has been mediocre. These qualitative defects are generally due to the construction of the channel hanger, particularly the bottom, horizontally extending channel leg. As previously noted, this leg must :be sufficiently wide to seat the bottom edge of the film sheet, and must be perforated to allow access to the solution and drainage thereof.

Such a configuration creates turbulence in the developer solution which causes streakings, mottling and general irregularity in the developed image, particularly in uniform areas of high density. These undesirable effects can only be reduced by decreasing the amount of agitation given to film.

Care must be exercised, however, lest the agitation time be so limited in an efferot to eliminate turbulence effects, that other effects equally deleterious to developing quality are introduced by insuflicient agitation. Insuificient agitation will substitute long, trailing streaks on the negative for the above mentioned defects caused by turbulence. Accordingly, a compromise in developing procedures is required that lowers the quality of the developed image in order to minimize these deleterious effects.

With the introduction of gas agitation developing systerms, the problems created by the construction of the bottom channel leg have become more pronounced. Although the gas agitation system is capable of yielding results superior to those attainable 'by the use of the manual method, the full benefits of the gas system cannot be realized when the channel-type hangers are used. Streaking effects imparted by the channel legs and their drain holes appear to result more readily when used with gas agitation, thereby making adjustments in the timing and the pressure of the agitation system critical. Furthermore, even when optimum settings of the gas agitation system are realized, the results of the agitation are still imperfect, and the quality of the negative is lessened.

Additional disadvantages of the channel-type hanger are the high cost of such hangers, which is necessitated by the use of several individual components of expensive stainless steel alloys and the manual operations required to Weld these individual components into a cohesive assembly. Furthermore, inaccessible areas of the channel, such as the corners inhibit drying of the hanger and also prevent the use of physical means of drying, such as Wiping. Failure to completely dry the hanger can result in spotting and edge marks on the negative, thereby rendering these negatives unsuitable for commercial purposes.

Additionally, channel-type hangers are designed for use with only one particular size of film, e.g., 8 x 10 inches, or 5 x 7 inches, or 4 x 5 inches. This lack of flexibility creates the need for three distinct sizes of channel-type hangers in most commercial developing operations, and this creates the concomitant problem of storing these various sizes of film hangers between developing operations.

Another disa-dvantage of the conventional, channeltype film hanger is that such hangers must be handled with care, lest the film pull free of the device during rapid movements, particularly when working with larger film slzes.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of this invention to provide a film processing holder which is characterized by a structure which substantially eliminates the many disadvantages enumerated above.

Another principal object is to provide a film holder that will significantaly increase film processing quality when used in conjunction with gas agitation systems. The novel film holder herein described materially reduces streaking, mottling and general unevenness of the developed image on the film sheet held therein.

Another important object is to provide a standardized film holder of flexible design that will accommodate any of a plurality of different film sizes with equal facility. The instant film holder can accommodate three or more film sizes, or any suitable combination thereof simultaneously.

Another important object is to provide a film magazine of simplified design to accommodate a plurality of film holder means.

Another feature of the invention permits a reversal exposure to be given to films held 'by the instant hanger, without the removal of the holders from their accommodating magazine.

The foregoing and other objects will become apparent from the ensuing detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Minor variations in construction and arrangement of parts thereof may occur to the skilled artisan without departing from the scope of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a film magazine with a gas agitation system mounted in the bottom portion thereof, and showing a portion of the novel film holder embodying the invention poised for insertion into the film magazine.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the film magazine loaded with said film holders.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are partial perspective views of one embodiment of the novel film holder.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the arrangement of the securing means of the film holder for holding films of different sizes.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view through the gas distribution system taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 7 and in the direction indicated.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view through the gas agitation system taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6 and in the direction indicated.

FIG. 8 is a partial view of the base plate of the film holder.

FIG. 9 is a view of the position in which a negative is held by the film holder when immersed in the developing solution.

The invention is characterized by the provision of a unitary film holder means for holding film sheets of various sizes for use with a gas agitation system, said film holder means comprising a base plate, and securing means for selectively securing various sizes and combinations of film sheets to said base plate. These securing means are so positioned and arranged on said base plate as to grasp each of the four corners of at least one film sheet, regardless of the size of the film sheet. The film holder is further characterized by the provision of projections on the base plate that prevent the film sheet from adhering to the surface of the film holder means.

The film holder means embodying the invention is indicated generally by reference character 10. Holder means 10 functions in conjunction with a film rack or magazine, indicated generally by reference character 36, and a gas agitation system, indicated generally by reference character 50 in FIGS. 1 and 2. Magazine 30 and agitation system 50 will be described first, in order to enable the relationship of holder means 10 to its environment to be more fully appreciated.

Magazine 30 comprises outer sidewalls 32 and 34, which may be formed of plexiglas or metal. Situated on the interior of sidewalls 32 and 34, are a plurality of vertically extending slots 36. Slots 36 extend downwardly from the top of sidewalls 32, 34 to arresting means 33 and 39, respectively, situated above the upper surfaces of gas agitation system 50. Arresting means 38, 39 are metal bars that span the width of sidewalls 32 and 34, and extend a slight distance above and below agitation system 50. Support means 38, 39 are affixed to sidewalls 32 and 34 by screws 40.

Magazine 30, which is rectangular in cross-section, has four vertically extending metal corner brackets 41-44 that define the height dimension of the magazine. Four horizontally extending crossbars 4548 are connected to the corner brackets to form a rectangular cut-out configuration in the front and rear walls of said magazine. Sidewalls 32 and 34 are joined to the corner brackets by screws 49.

Gas agitation system 50, which is of conventional design, comprises an input tube 52, which carries gas from a source (not shown) to the magazine 30, two manifolds 54 and 56, and a plurality of gas distribution pipes 58. A pattern of spaced holes is provided on the bottom of pipes 58 (not shown) for releasing the gas selected to agitate the developing solution which develops the negatives held by film hanger 10. Input tube 52 is joined to crossbar 45 by support bracket 59, to retain the tube in fixed position adjacent to corner bracket 44.

Agitation system 50 is situated at the open, bottom surface of magazine 30 by screws 60-63 as seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 7. Screws 60-63 extend through corner brackets 41-44, respectively, and positively position system 50 in relation to magazine 30. FIGS. 6 and 7 show the details of this relationship.

Having described the environment with which holder means 10 is structurally related, novel holder means 10 will now be described.

The details of construction of film holder means 10 are seen in FIGS. 3-6 and 8-9. Holder means 10 comprises a base plate 12, preferably made from a rigid plastic, with dome-like projections 14 distributed in a spaced pattern over the face of said plate 12.

Film securing means 16 are also affixed to plate 12, and extend at a 45 degree angle to the vertical axis thereof. Securing means 16 is formed of flexed short lengths tion as defined in the appended claims.

of wire of a narrow diameter so as not to appreciably mar the corners of the negative or negatives being retained by said holder. Suitable securing means have been formed from stainless steel, and plastic thread.

Two embodiments of securing means 16 are shown in the drawings. The first embodiment is seen in FIGS. 1, 6 and 7.

This embodiment features securing means 16 that are permanently joined to base plate 12 by soldering or glueing the ends of the thread to the surface of said plate or into recesses formed therein. The contact points between means 16 and plate 12 are indicated by numeral 18.

The alternative embodiment of securing means 16 is seen in FIGS. 35 and 9. Means 16, in this embodiment, is molded integrally with plastic plugs 20. Plastic plugs 20 removably mate with recesses 22 in plate 12 due to the complementary shapes of projections 24 in recess 22 and the notched sides 21 of plugs 20. This embodiment enables rapid replacement of individual securing means. 7

Means 16, regardless of the embodiment selected, are so spaced and arranged about plate 12 that one annularly extending, securing thread is provided to grasp each of the four corners of the film sheet or sheets to be held, as seen in FIG. 5, regardless of the size of the film sheet.

For example, holder 10 can simultaneously retain four 4 x 5 inch negatives, as indicated by erference character A in FIG. 5. Alternatively, holder 10 can accommodate two 5 x 7 inch negatives, as indicated by reference character B. As another alternative, holder 10 can accommodate one 8 x 10 inch sheet, as indicated by reference character C. Obviously, if the situation requires, combinations of these film sizes can be accommodated by holder 10.

Operational cycle In operation, the sheet or sheets of film, depending upon the size of the negatives, are placed upon base plate 12 of holder 10. Then the corners of the film are slipped under the securing thread 16, which is slightly bowed or arched, and extends between contact points 18.

Film holder 10 is then placed in aligned slots 36 in sidewalls 32, 34 of film magazine 30. Holder 10 is moved downwardly until the bottom edge of the holder abuts against support means 38, and 39. Each film holder 10 is adjacent to and separated from the back of another film holder by a distance of approximately of an inch. The back surface of one holder and the front surface of the adjacent holder form a compartment through which the gas agitation system 50 functions in a most efiicient manner.

The dome-like projections 14 on base plate 12 keep the back side of the film away from the base plate, and prevent the film from sticking thereto, as well as allowing the solution to wash the back side of the film.

On the front or emulsion side of the film sheet, the hydraulic forces, including surface tension, created when holder 10 enters the solution in the magazine tends to push the film sheet toward its own holder, thereby keeping the film from contacting the back of the adjacent holder. This slight bellying effect is seen in FIG. 9 along the top and bottom surfaces of the film sheet. Once at rest within magazine 30, the inherent stiffness of film 70 keeps same away from adjacent holder 10. Processing is then conducted in a conventional manner.

It is believed that the invention has been described 1n sufficient detail to enable the skilled artisan to understand and practice the same. Variations of the details of the invention, such as the use of different types of plastic and metallic securing threads and different ways of joining the threads to the base plate, as well as the substitution of a manual agitation process for the gas agitation system discussed above, are capable of being made without departing from the spirit or scope of the inven- Changes in the construction of the film magazine are also envisioned by this disclosure.

What is is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. Film holder means for selectively holding photographic film sheets of various sizes for use with a magazine, said film holder means comprising:

(a) a base plate,

(b) securing means for securing film sheets of various sizes to said base plate, said securing means comprismg (1) a plurality of recesses in said base plate,

(2) and a plurality of matching plastic plugs that removably snap into said recesses,

(3) and plastic thread extending between adjacent ones of said plugs, said plastic thread being arched so as to permit corners of the film sheets to be processed to he slipped thereunder.

2. The film holder of claim 1 in which a pattern of spaced projections extends upwardly firorn said base plate to prevent the film from adhering to the surface of said base plate.

3. The film holder of claim 1 in which said recesses extend clear through said base, and said plastic plugs are removably snapped into the desired recesses due to the complementary surfaces formed on said plugs and the sidewalls of said recesses.

4. The film holder of claim 1 in which said securing means are positioned about said base plate in a pattern to grasp each of the four corners of the film sheet desired to be developed, regardless of the size of the film sheet.

5. Film holder means for selectively holding film sheets of various sizes for use with a magazine, said film holder means comprising:

(a) a base plate, said base plate having a pattern of spaced projections extending upwardly therefrom to prevent the film sheets from adhering to the surface of said plate,

(b) securing means for securing film sheets of various sizes to said 'base plate, said securing means comprising (1) a plurality of recesses extending through said 6 base plate, said recesses having notched sidewalls,

(2) and a plurality of matching plastic plugs that removably snap into said recesses due to the complementary surfaces formed on said plugs and said side-Walls,

( 3) and plastic thread extending between adjacent plugs, said plastic thread being arched so as to permit corners of the film sheets to be slipped thereunder regardless of the size of the film sheet.

6. Film holder means for holding photographic film sheets of various sizes, said film holder means comprising:

(a) a base plate,

(b) and securing means for selectively securing various sizes and combinations of film sheets to said base plate, said securing means comprising:

(1) a plurality of recesses in said base plate,

(2) and a plurality of matching plastic plugs that removably fit into said recesses,

(3) and film sheet engaging means extending between adjacent ones of said plugs, said engaging means adapted to engage and mount said film sheets on said base plate.

7. A film holder as defined in claim 6 wherein said engaging means extending between adjacent ones of said plugs is comprised of a plastic thread, said plastic thread being arched so as to permit corners of the film sheet to be slipped thereunder.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,711,670 6/1955 Clarke 88-24 3,054,341 9/1962 Wolber -100 3,135,188 6/1964 Hixon et a1. 95-98 3,151,536 10/1964 Raitt 95-400 X NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner.

JOHN M. HORAN, Examiner.

F. L. BRAUN, Assistant Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,316,827 May 2, 1967 William G. Hill It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below Column 4, line 22, for "annularly" read angularly Signed and sealed this 21st day of November 1967.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD J. BRENNER Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer 

1. FILM HOLDER MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY HOLDING PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM SHEETS OF VARIOUS SIZES FOR USE WITH A MAGAZINE, SAID FILM HOLDER MEANS COMPRISING: (A) A BASE PLATE, (B) SECURING MEANS FOR SECURING FILM SHEETS OF VARIOUS SIZES TO SAID BASE PLATE, SAID SECURING MEANS COMPRISING (1) A PLURALITY OF RECESSES IN SAID BASE PLATE, (2) AND A PLURALITY OF MATCHING PLASTIC PLUGS THAT REMOVABLY SNAP INTO SAID RECESSES, (3) AND PLASTIC THREAD EXTENDING BETWEEN ADJACENT ONES OF SAID PLUGS, SAID PLASTIC THREAD BEING ARCHED SO AS TO PERMIT CORNERS OF THE FILM SHEETS TO BE PROCESSED TO BE SLIPPED THEREUNDER. 